International Tea Day: Drinking Tea May Improve Your HealthWishesh Special

There is not a single thing that can cheer up your day with tea, whether you drink it be lively, to help alleviate stress, or you are just a fan of the taste, the majority of us find it strenuous to say no to a cup of tea.

Regardless of the season, tea can be a tasty beverage since it can be served iced or hot.

Nevertheless, its benefits go far beyond revival. There is a lot of research showing that drinking tea can literally improve your health.

At the very least, it is a flavorful way of getting decent fluid into your body each day. On top of that, studies have shown teas can help protect your teeth and your heart, as well as maybe even helping to stave off cancer.

Which type of tea you drink can make a difference. All non-herbal teas are made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. The amount of time the leaves are processed determines whether you end up with a green, black or oolong tea.

The green teas are the least processed and are prone to have the inflated amounts of polyphenols, and the lone type that comprises the polyphenol, catechin, which is why many studies have been done using only green teas. Certain herbal teas are better-known for their medicinal values, including soothing the digestive system.

Here are the top five health benefits of tea and some options for delicious teas to try out:

Tea Contains Antioxidants

Antioxidants work to prevent the body’s version of rust and thus help to keep us young and protect us from damage from pollution. Load up on antioxidants with a white tea, which is less processed than black or green tea so it retains more beneficial antioxidants.

Less Caffeine than Coffee

Herbal blends have no caffeine, while traditional teas have less than 50 percent of what typically is found in coffee. That means you can consume it without those pesky effects on your nervous system, says Leslie Bonci, nutritionist and owner of Active Eating Advice.

If you are trying to switch from coffee to tea, try a chicory root tea like Teeccino, which has a mouthfeel and flavor similar to coffee. Chicory root is also known to help reduce stress and is prebiotic so may be helpful to your gut. Bonus: this tea will give you a kick of energy without the caffeine.

Reduce Risk of Heart Attack

"There's a lot of literature out there on tea and heart health," said Anna Ardine, clinical nutrition manager at Magee-Womens Hospital of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. "This is a health effect for which there is the strongest evidence."

As a matter of fact, a study published last year that combined data from a host of earlier reports found about 20 percent decrease in the risk of heart attack and a 35 percent reduced risk of stroke among those who drank one to three cups of green tea a day. Those who drank four or more cups of green tea every day had a 32 percent reduction in the risk of having a heart attack and lower levels of LDL cholesterol.

Four cups of green tea may keep you running to the bathroom, but you can get the same benefit from drinking one cup of matcha tea, which is made from ground green tea leaves and is said to be the nutritional equivalent of 10 cups of regular green tea.

Weight Loss

Research on this is not as strong, Ardine said, adding that studies that have shown an effect have depended on consumption of large amounts of tea, often in pill form.

Protect Bones

Data from late animal studies have shown that green tea may prevent bone loss. Moringa, a plant that is native to South Asia, has been best-known for its medicinal properties and is nowadays rapidly becoming a mainstream superfood. With additional calcium than milk, as well as iron, vitamin A and K, moringa tea is a considerable addition to help keep those bones brawny.